Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary met Ambassador Saqlain Syedah at the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin to discuss deepening scientific cooperation between German institutions and OIC member states. The discussion focused on practical measures to expand academic partnerships, research mobility, and capacity building, with a particular emphasis on supporting Least Developed Countries in Africa.

Prof. Choudhary welcomed engagement with leading German research organisations including the Leibniz Association, Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Society and Helmholtz Association, and proposed a structured COMSTECH Germany partnership to formalise long-term collaboration. He emphasised that coordinated efforts could accelerate progress in renewable energy, climate change research, health sciences, artificial intelligence and water security, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

To translate the vision into action, Prof. Choudhary proposed working with the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD on joint programmes to promote research exchanges, co-branded fellowships and expanded scholarships. Strengthening research mobility through such initiatives will help build a sustainable pipeline of researchers and educators across OIC member states while enhancing collaborative publications and technology transfer.

The meeting also explored adapting successful education models such as the German-Jordanian University to improve access to STEM education for refugees and host communities in OIC countries. Prof. Choudhary noted that elements of this model could be piloted to increase inclusion and practical skills training, reinforcing the broader goals of the COMSTECH Germany collaboration.

As part of institutionalising cooperation, Prof. Choudhary proposed an annual Germany-COMSTECH Science Policy Dialogue to advance science diplomacy, innovation cooperation and sustainable development priorities. The dialogue would provide a regular forum for policy makers, research leaders and academic partners to track progress and identify priority areas for joint funding and implementation.

Prof. Choudhary expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s hospitality and invited Ambassador Saqlain Syedah to visit the OIC-COMSTECH headquarters in Islamabad during her next trip to Pakistan to discuss concrete steps for advancing the COMSTECH Germany partnership. Both sides agreed to continue the constructive exchange to build a meaningful and long-lasting research collaboration that benefits OIC member states.